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Reviews For: WriteLog by W5XD

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : WriteLog by W5XD
Reviews: 46MSRP: 30.00 USD
Description:
Contest logging software for CW, SSB, RTTY, and PSK31.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.writelog.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12464.2
OLDFART13 Rating: 2008-12-12
The Best. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
OK, I'll keep it simple:

If you are a serious contester the WRITELOG is the best choice.

If you are a casual contester, or very cheap, then N1MM should suit your needs.
VE7GIF Rating: 2008-10-19
Great contest logger Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I highly recommend it I just got it set up in time to do some S&P in the JARTS contest. It was one of the most fun easiest contest to work. A few simple clicks and the exchanges were sent,logged and noted in the bandscope. I cant wait for the next contest
K4EC Rating: 2008-09-11
Works great with new network upgrades for multi stations Time Owned: more than 12 months.
We had used WriteLog for years at the NR4M multi station. However, we had network connectivity issues. We switched to Win-Test which had solid network connectivity between the stations.

Steve received word that WriteLog had upgraded the network portion of the application, so about a year ago we switched back. It has worked great since then. The network connectivity between stations is rock solid and we got back all of the Writelog features and contests.
AB8XG Rating: 2008-03-04
AWSOME CONTEST SOWTWARE Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
First just let me say that this is CONTEST software, and very specalized,and like most competition grade products requires that you spend the time to learn all tricks that make it work.That being said it works great and is capable of doing whatever you need from a contest software. It is very reliable and I havn't lost any Qsos even with a power outage and 20 unsaved contacts during an contest, when the power came back on and i rebooted the computer it asked me if I wanted to save my unsaved qsos. Another thing that I really like about it is that you do not have to have a fully automated setup to use this program, you can change bands or whatever you need to do manually with no problems (unlike some of the other contest logging programs). Any questions that I have had have been quickly answered by others on the e-mail reflector.In conclusion if you are looking for a greaat contest logging program,and are willing to put in the time to learn how it works (DO NOT BUY THIS THE DAY OF THE CONTEST YOU WANT TO WORK YOU WON'T BE HAPPY) it works great and supports a bunch of contests, makes great cabrillo logs etc. If you are a little pistol (like me) or a big gun station i think you will like thes software. Kenny AB8XG
W0BKR Rating: 2007-12-20
Problems from start Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I will update this if I ever get this software package to install. Purchased version 10.4 and yet to be able to install it on my older Win95 laptop that I use for RTTY. I specified this when ordering and wasn't told I needed to install Instmsia.exe updated Windows Installer. Well, downloaded that and loaded it but Writelog still wont' install. So far, no luck and not much help.
ZS6AAA Rating: 2007-07-19
Excellent package but documentation could be better Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using WriteLog for about 3 years now. It does exactly what it is supposed to do, and has never given any trouble. I recently upgraded my station to full SO2R capability, and it only took about an hour to set up WriteLog and figure out how to make it work on SO2R.

I'm exclusively a CW contester, have used both the COM port and the LPT line for computer-generated keying, and have never had any CW timing problems. Admittedly, I usually work 25-30 wpm so there may be timing problems at faster speeds (in which case I'll just switch to using my WinKeyer to generate the PC keying). Note however that to use the LPT port under Windows XP you need the directio drivers, which cost an additional US$ 29. (I use two serial ports for rig control, and wanted the CW keying and rig A/B switching on LPT).

If WriteLog has a weakness, it's that the documentation could be better, plus it would be nice if they included LPT control for Windows XP at no additional cost. Also, some more advanced settings require manual fiddling with the writelog.ini text file - it would be nicer if everything could be set up within the Windows interface (but note that these are set-once-and-forget type settings, like automatic log saving, nothing that I want to change regularly).

I haven't had much opportunity to test the technical support recently; but when I first got the package I asked for the RSGB Commonwealth Contest to be added, and it was.

WA5RR Rating: 2007-06-01
Only okay Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Congrats to the guy that bought the program for $30. It cost a lot more than that when I purchased it about 3 years ago.

PROS--Very stable, voice keying works FB. works well with WinKey or W5XD Multikeyer. With the Multikeyer SO2R is easy.

Cons--If you don't use WinKey then you will have CW timing/stutter problems. It's quite frustrating and it doesn't matter if you use a legacy serial port or USB-to-serial adapter. Networking setup is complicated. N1MM worked the first time with very little fuss. The biggest problem is paying for an "update" later that should have been included in the first place that adds absolutely no added functionality.

N1MM works much better with serial CW keying and networking. It does everything Writelog does and more. Don't mention that it's also FREE.
G4WFQ Rating: 2007-06-01
Bomb Proof and well supported Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Writelog is still the number one choice for my contest logging.
I have tried quite a few contest logging programs including the latest offerings, but what really stands out for me, is that I have NEVER lost a single QSO from any logs with Writelog, despite numerous power cuts on various dxpeditions.
Its stood the test of time, used in both CW and RTTY contests, at home and on dxpedition, G4WFQ/HI9, C6AWF and G4WFQ/6W.
The documentation is all included in the program help files, which are searchable. Works perfectly with Winkey and runs very well in Windows XP without any add ons required!
If your a RTTY contester then writelog supports the MMTTY plug-in and does just about every RTTY contest going.
At $30 and with so many contests supported it has to be very good value!
Cheers
Dave
G4WFQ
AD6WL Rating: 2006-10-23
The best contesting software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is by far the best contesting software I have ever used. I have been a dedicated user for over 5 years. The price is only $30 as of this writing. There is a learning curve for this program but it is well worth it. I operate CW, phone and digital modes with it. For contests like the CA QP, I can operate CW on one radio and SSB on the other. SO2R on all modes, especially RTTY, is a breeze. All my CQs, Rotor control, filter selection and scoring are automated. Updates and support for this software is excellent.

The following website should solve all your support needs. You will have to follow some of the links to get what you want but it is all there.

http://www.writelog.com/support.htm

If you’re serious about contesting or just want to use an easy automated program this is it. If all you need is a general logging software for casual contacts, I would recommend Logger32, but for contests Write Log is the best.
K4WPX Rating: 2006-03-10
a Must for a Contest Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the best contest logging software around period. No PHD needed to use it.
The 3Y0X team could not be wrong either! I used this in many contests from Africa with great success and not one problem. If you are into contesting, get it!
The DXpedition mode works great a as general logger!
Well done W5XD!
Andre K4WPX (ZS6WPX,C91Z,7P8ZZ,3DA0WPX,SU/ZS6WPX,5H9AW)